Ilana's FIL...

[Guest guest]

Hi Ilana,

 

I am not a dermatologist, but as I've had skin problems all my life maybe I

do have some insights. I wonder first of all if your FIL is the type who

likes to take his health into his own hands, or the type who likes to bow to

the " superior wisdom " of professionals. I suspect the latter, and he is

feeling victimized and not well taken care of by his former employer, the

railroad company. Would he listen to you if you give him health suggestions?

I think it's likely that something related to petrochemicals did cause this.

And I seem to remember also that they use croton oil as a preservative on

the railroad ties: A very irritating substance that I believe is

carcinogenic. I remember I once had a flareup of blackheads on my forehead

just below my hairline. This was about 20 years ago, when I had been using

polishing compounds (jewelry business stuff) that had some kind of

petrochemical base. I was obsessed and fascinated with my new problem too,

and I picked at my face. So I had not only a skin problem but an

obsessive-compulsive disorder as well. Sounds like your FIL, kind of. This

was not a serious problem, and I eventually came up with a combination of

clay masks and exfoliation that did away with the problem.

 

 

It sounds to me like your father in law has developed some kind of localized

psoriasis or even scleroderma, from the way you describe it. As long as he

has removed himself from the exposure to the chemical, he can concentrate on

getting well. You probably know of all the antioxidants that he should take

to enhance proper functioning of his immune system. But if I had that

problem, I would do something that really shocked my system. Like taking up

macrobiotics, or intravenous megavitamins, or a juice fast. This kind of

reversal would be especially effective, I think, if he was formerly a

junk-food junkie and cigar smoker, or something. I think that a complete

change in nutrition and habits can be enough of a shock to get the body into

gear and it starts repairing itself.

 

I also wonder if you have explored the writings of Edgar Cayce. I believe he

often used castor oil packs for various ailments, with a hot water bottle or

heating pad placed over this. Castor oil is supposed to mobilize the

energies of the body. I used to use it when I had itchy scalp, and it

seemed a very powerful remedy.

 

I wouldn't recommend the chapped skin formula I suggested. If he has lost

the use of his finger there is something much more serious going on. I hope

that other people respond to your posting as well. I'm just using my

intuition here, but your FIL's condition calls for something more drastic, I

believe.

 

Fran